Should I use Sharebuilder?

[ilovedolphins]

I have about $10,000 in a traditional IRA at ING. I now have it invested in CD's but when they come due should I invest at Sharebuilder to try to earn a higher rate of return?

[ModE98]

BUMP

[Deleted]

If you are wanting to or thinking of putting the money to work in the Markets - the the choice of brokerage is really your choice.
The best any of us could and can do is give you our opinions of what we think of our brokerages and some basic information.

You should not choose a Brokerage because someone told you to use them.

Now that said here is my Opinion -

Sharebuilder is a bit of an Oddity as a brokerage near as I can tell.
They have a List of Approved Stocks/Funds that they will allow you to trade/Invest in - if you see something that is not on that list that you want - well too bad - not on the list means you can't buy it.
The Way Sharebuilder is set up is such that if you are looking to make consistent deposits and run D.R.I.P.S (Dividend Reinvestment Plans) with the goal of Building large positions then they might be for you.

Personally from what I have read about Sharebuilder, it seems to me that the way it is structured would become an encumbrance once someone started to really get a feel for things. And at that point someone may look to move the account somewhere else, which could, Can and is a PITA once you consider all the extra paperwork and the lost time in which you can't do anything while you wait for things to transfer in and settle - time in which anything could happen and in which you could be stuck on the wrong end of a nasty surprise.

There are other Low Cost Brokers out there with similar capabilities, without the restrictions.
A Couple of Examples are OptionsHouse ($3.95 Stock/Fund Trades) and Zecco ($4.95 last I knew).
HOWEVER for someone starting out a more mainstream Broker like Scott Trade or TD Ameritrade would be more likely better choices. Sure the Trade fees are a bit Higher, but the Tools and Support are really good..

But Hey this is just my Opinion. What ever you do take your time, look at many different Brokers, Compare Fees and Support, Tools Etc.
Considering that Most Folks are not that likely to change brokers, you are looking at embarking on a Long Term relationship with a Financial Institution. The More comfortable you are and the more you know before you engage in that Relationship, the Happier you will be later on.

But Again This is just my Opinion.

[ModE98]

All I can add is, I have used Scottrade on-line for over 8 years and am completely happy with the service. They have local broker as well in many cities that can provide help as needed. $7 per trade.

www.scottrade.com/LP/7dollar-trades/?&sctr=25615|Scottrade+-+Test2|scottrade||1_es

[Trongersoll]

I use both Schwab and Scottrade. Scott is cheaper per trade, but it is more of a pain in the neck to get your money out of. With Schwab, you can transfer money to and from your bank account online. With Scottrade you have to get in touch with them and have them send you a check, but you can transfer money into the account.